DnaB and DciA: Mechanisms of Helicase Loading and Translocation on ssDNA

Abstract

O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=83 SRC="FIGDIR/small/622779v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (26K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b0641dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7caf59org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1dc0fccorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@913ce2_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOGraphical AbstractC_FLOATNO The Vibrio cholerae (Vc) DnaB replicative helicase structure bound to single-stranded (ss) DNA is depicted in the ribbon (top left) and sphere-cylinder representation (top right). In the bottom center is a native mass spectrum showing Vc DnaB helicase loading onto single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). C_FIG Replicative helicases are assembled on chromosomes by helicase loaders before initiation of DNA replication. Here, we investigate mechanisms used by the bacterial Vibrio cholerae (Vc) DnaB replicative helicase and the DciA helicase loader. Structural analysis of the ATP{gamma}S form of the VcDnaB-ssDNA complex reveals a configuration distinct from that seen with GDP*AlF4. With ATP{gamma}S, the amino-terminal (NTD) tier, previously found as an open spiral in the GDP*AlF4 complex, adopts a closed planar arrangement. Further, the DnaB subunit at the top of the carboxy-terminal spiral (CTD) tier is displaced by [~]25 [A] between the two forms. We suggest that remodeling the NTD layer between closed planar and open spiral configurations and migration of two distinct CTDs to the top of the DnaB spiral, repeated three times, mediates hand-over-hand translocation. Biochemical analysis suggests that VcDciA leverages its Lasso domain to contact DnaB near its Docking-Linker-Helix interface. Up to three copies of VcDciA bind to VcDnaB and suppress its ATPase activity during loading onto physiological DNA substrates. Our data suggest that DciA loads DnaB onto DNA using the ring-opening mechanism.